Tumour associated microparticles as a novel biomarker in HCC and CCA

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Miroslaw Kornek
• Subject Area: Gastroenterology
• Term: from 2018 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 410853455

New and innovative cancer diagnostic methods are in the focus of research. Here, tags as 'liquid biopsy' play an essential role, especially for cancer prevention on a semi-annual or yearly basis. Liquid biopsy could have a wide application as a simple method in particular for carcinoma entities known to be hard to detect as liver cancers. A rapid and reliable detection and identification of this danger could significantly affect the prognosis of cancer patients. The applicant describes how to explore and utilize several surface antigens as part of a cancer specific marker combination simultaneously detectable on large extracellular vesicles (EVs), so called microparticles/microvesicles (MPs/MVs). Briefly, the study aims to explore and asses the potential of this diagnostic method of cancer specific MPs/MVs marker combinations in the context of detection of liver tumours including the differentiation between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocyte carcinoma (CCA), two common liver tumour entities. Done by flow cytometry analysis of large EVs released directly from the tumour cells or cells that are stimulated and associated with cancer growth. Another interesting and potentially beneficial application will be documenting anti-tumoural therapy outcome. Furthermore, this therapy accompanying aspect should be deepened beyond the documentation of complete tumour-resections (R0 resection) by transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of advanced HCC.In summary, the ultimate aim of the application is the exploration of an improved liquid biopsy method based on the numeric quantification and characterization of HCC and CCA specific marker combinations on MPs/MVs, that are not depending on cancer metastasis and are not restricted for epithelial tumour entities only. The already acquired and published preliminary MP/MVs data strongly suggest that the described research approach will be likely feasible and beneficial for future liver cancer patients.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants